Chandrapur: A 65-year-old man was mauled to death by a tiger while grazing cattle in a forest area in Samda village of Saoli taluka on Saturday, taking the number of people killed in wildlife attacks in Chandrapur district this year to 27.The victim, identified as Hiraman Markhandi Sakhare, had entered the forest in compartment 1501 of Samda beat, under Saoli forest range, along with Shravan Bhoja Sakhare to graze their cattle when the tiger attacked him.According to forest officials, the tiger dragged Sakhare for some distance and he died on the spot.Forest officials and staff reached the site and took custody of the body. Police were called in and completed the necessary spot panchnama and legal formalities. The body was subsequently sent to Govt Medical College and Hospital at Mul for post-mortem examination.The latest death has pushed the district’s wildlife attack toll this year to 27, comprising 25 tiger attacks and one each involving an elephant and a leopard. Last year, wildlife attacks claimed 47 lives in Chandrapur, including 42 attributed to tigers.
